Fast-track Consent Application Lodged for Pahiatua Wind Farm
The application for the proposed Pahiatua Wind Farm has been lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) under the Fast-track consenting process.
The proposed Wind Farm is located west of the Pahiatua township in the Manawatū-Whanganui region. The likely capacity of the wind farm would be from 32 MW to 56 MW, providing electricity to power between 18,000 and 32,000 homes.
The substantive application, including all the specialist reports, will be available online at the Environmental Protection Authority website.
Next steps
An expert consenting panel will be appointed to decide on the application for the proposed wind farm.
Expert consenting panels are independent decision-making bodies and must be set up for each fast-track project. The Chief Environment Court Judge appoints each panel.
Each panel is chaired by a sitting or retired Environment Court Judge, or a senior Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) lawyer. The local authorities and iwi authorities may each nominate a person to be a member of the panel.
Submissions
The panel will invite submissions from individuals and groups as prescribed by the Natural and Built Environment Act (NBEA). The EPA receives submissions on behalf of the expert consenting panel and then sends them on to the panel for consideration.
Those invited to submit will receive a letter from the EPA with further details. Eligible individuals will have 20 working days from the date of their invitation to make a submission.
Panels must invite submissions from specific people or groups and may invite submissions from other groups or persons to whom the panel considers the activity is relevant. Examples include:
- the relevant local authorities
- the relevant iwi authorities
- the owners and occupiers of land where the project is, and of adjacent land
For additional information on the process, submissions and timeline please visit the EPA’s website dedicated to fast-track consenting.
If you have any questions about the project, please reach out to us at Pahiatuawind@aurecongroup.com.